The New England Patriots will be shorthanded on both sides of the ball in Sunday’s clash with the Denver Broncos.
On Friday, the team ruled out safety Jabrill Peppers, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the game.
This will be the second straight game Smith-Schuster has missed, following his breakout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
Meanwhile, Peppers has arguably been the best player on the entire team this season. Not having him on the field is a huge loss.
Conor McDermott’s status is also worth monitoring considering how thin things already are for the team at left tackle. Here are the full injury reports for both teams on Friday.
New England Patriots
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| TE Hunter Henry | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
| OT Conor McDermott | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
| S Jabrill Peppers | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| RB Rhamondre Stevenson | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| DL Christian Barmore | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Ja’Whaun Bentley | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| OT Trent Brown | Ankle/Hand | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| CB Jonathan Jones | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| SpT Matthew Slater | Hamstring | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | Ankle | LP | LP | DNP | Out |
| LB Jahlani Tavai | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| S Cody Davis | Illness | DNP | FP | Active | |
| LB Anfernee Jennings | Illness | DNP | LP | Questionable | |
| OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. | Knee | FP | FP | Active |
DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation
Pittsburgh Steelers
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| OLB Nik Bonitto | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| TE Greg Dulcich | Hamstring/Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| RB Samaje Perine | Not injury-related/Rest | DNP | FP | Active | |
| OLB Jonathon Cooper | Ankle | LP | FP | Active | |
| T Alex Palczewski | Knee | LP | FP | DNP | Out |
| DT Mike Purcell | Not injury-related/Rest | DNP | Active | ||
| TE Chris Manhertz | Not injury-related/Rest | LP | Active |
DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation
Playing shorthanded has been a common theme for the Patriots this season. That won’t make the effort any easier, but at least they’re prepared to play under tough circumstances against a Broncos team desperate to stay in the playoff hunt.
